Hoffman's Ice Cream & Deli — Restaurant in Maryland

UPDATE: I'm sad to update my review after all these years, now that one of my children was old enough to work a summer job here. A big part of Hoffman's "rough around the edges" charm is that it's a pillar of a small community. The employees are almost all young teens working at their first job, and this draws all their teachers, friends, and neighbors in to support them.

So I've been bummed to learn that the owner has, on several occasions, treated my kid in a way that made me uncomfortable letting them keep working there. I'm sure that employing klutzy, high-turnover H.S. students can be frustrating, especially when costs are high, but they still deserve to be treated with dignity and respect -- even if they make mistakes. It might be worth remembering that Hoffman's customers are these kids' neighbors and family.

The ice cream is still good old-fashioned ice cream, but I can no longer give hundreds of dollars a year to the owner, buying birthday cakes and introducing out-of-town family with a local cone. My other kids will be bummed, but the Bus Stop up in Hampstead is at least owned and operated by one of their teachers.

ORIGINAL: This is the spot for ice cream in Westminster and even W. Howard Co. Authentic and no frills, Hoffman's has all the cred of an institution that's been here for 60+ years in the community. Large ice cream cakes pre-made, quarts and gallons of homemade ice cream ready to go, and a wide assortment of flavors. This is not soft serve, but real, honest-to-goodness ice cream. But it's no secret, so the lines can get long sometimes, and the parking lot...

They do not have soft serve ice cream/frozen custard here. What they do have is great ice cream in a variety of flavors that are still made by the Hoffman family. They also carry a wide variety of flavors that are made for sale only in the Hoffman family store. With all of their delicious flavors of fresh ice cream, you may expect that they serve sundaes and other ice cream goodies. You would be correct. One of their most popular favorites are ice cream cakes. Their ice cream cake comes in square, rectangular and round shapes traditionally. It can be made with any shape and size upon request. The 'usual cakes' come with chocolate and vanilla layers and "crushed chocolate wafers" between the layers, but you can choose from dozens of the delightful flavors they have available. The more unique you want your cake to be (original/hand drawn artwork, lots of words to fit, unique cake shapes that need to be handcrafted, etc.) the more you will have to pay in upcharges and the more advance notice I'd recommend. However, they do keep a few fresh standard cakes in the freezer (rosettes or borders in neutral colors without words). There's usually an employee on duty who is able to write a simple message on the cake for you. Examples would be a quote or perhaps something that is a school saying or happy birthday including the name of the person who is being celebrated. I hope this is encouraging you to try out Hoffman's because once you go, you'll...

I've just recently started going here again. Tuesday I was there and the young guy behind the counter just looked at me and walked away, as if I didn't exist. And just looked at me stand there. I just smiled. When one of the other women behind the counter saw, and then saw my expression ( disdain) she immediately asked for my order. Again Friday I went back for Ice Cream. The looks from the customers and the workers, amazes me. This time the young girl stood there, and others behind the counter walking back and forth, doing nothing. I asked.. could I get some help please. Now, there were 3 other white guys looking through the fridges, trying to decide what they wanted. In the meantime I'm still standing there looking silly. The girl says as soon as I finish waiting on them I will wait on you. The guys are still trying to figure out what there doing. Eventually she takes my ice cream order. Mind you, when she looks at the other servers, everyone acts as if I'm not standing there. And yes, I am African American, but to see, in this day and age, and all that's going on we are still displaying such stupidity and ignorance. I work in mental health, I've brought many of my clients there and I think the Ice Cream is Delicious, but after the ignorance and behavior from workers at Hoffman's ice cream I will never refer them or eat at that place again. I can get better service at...